Here you can keep up with the latest from Reading’s 1000+ voluntary organisations and other voluntary sector news from around the area.
RVA’s Social Prescribing service receives RAN Quality Standard
8 July 2026
We are delighted to announce that RVA’s Social Prescribing service has achieved the Reading Advice Network (RAN) Quality Standard. This was awarded for signposting, providing assisted information, giving advice, and doing casework. The RAN Quality Standard is designed to enable member organisations, their funders, and their service users or clients to be confident that the organisation ...
Reading Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board – first newsletter
8 July 2026
The first edition of Reading Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board’s newsletter is now available In this issue: Board Updates Pan Berkshire Multi-Agency Policies, Procedures and Guidance Daniyal Safeguarding Adults Review Navigating the Digital World Training opportunities Click here for your copy. If you have any feedback, comments or suggestions for the next issue, send them to readingsapb@reading.gov.uk. Website: Reading Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board News from: Reading Safeguarding ...
Young Voices Safety in Reading Survey 2026 – please share
8 July 2026
Young Voices have launched their annual safety survey and would be grateful for your support in sharing it with children and young people across your networks. Please note that the survey is for children and young people to complete, rather than professionals We would appreciate it if you could share the survey and encourage participation over the ...
Men’s Health Community Fund – deadline 15 July 2026
30 June 2026
The Men’s Health Community Fund, announced in spring 2026, is a new £6.3 million national initiative designed to support community-led projects that improve men’s health and reduce inequalities, particularly among those least likely to engage with traditional health services. The scheme sits within the UK Government’s Men’s Health Strategy for England and has been developed as ...
Online – Bitesize Volunteer Management Training – ‘Recruitment Essentials’
29 June 2026
Do you manage volunteers in your role in one of Reading’s diverse voluntary and community sector organisations? You may be a volunteer yourself, or a paid member of staff, or even a volunteer Trustee/Committee member. RVA is running bite-sized training for those who manage volunteers. These sessions are designed to give you an introduction/ refresher into ...
Cool spaces in Reading
24 June 2026
Cool spaces are free, indoor places in Reading where people can take a break from the heat, cool down and rest during the current period of hot weather. They are normally open to anyone who needs a comfortable place to stay out of the sun, or if they are struggling to keep cool at home, which may help to reduce health risks from heat. They ...
Online Prevent training for charities and community groups
18 June 2026This short online workshop is ideal for staff, volunteers and trustees. Prevent Awareness Live training description: This session will deliver a new Home Office Prevent training module. It aims to increasing understanding about Prevent, explain what radicalisation, extremism and terrorism are, what the notice, check, share procedure is and how to apply it and what to do if you ...
Lloyds Bank Foundation – new 9-year strategy
17 June 2026
Lloyds Bank Foundation has a new 9-strategy which is about everyone in England and Wales being in a good place: In a good place personally with a focus on financial resilience and digital inclusion. In a home that’s a good place to live. That means preventing homelessness and helping non-profit organisations make more homes available to people who need ...
New Democratic Engagement Fund – deadline 31 August 2026
17 June 2026
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is providing a new £2.5 million fund to engage people who are least likely to engage with democracy, such as young people aged 5 to 25 years; ethnic minority groups, people who are homeless, regular movers, disabled people and people from low socio-economic backgrounds. The funding is for ...
SNG Community in Action microgrants – deadline 22 June 2025
17 June 2026
SNG’s Community In Action fund is offering microgrants of up to £1,000 to support the delivery of summer activities by community organisations who are powered by fantastic volunteers. This fund aims to bring people together through small‑scale programmes that encourage volunteering, strengthen local connections, and build pride in place. Grants will support inclusive summer activities that ...
Are you a Global Majority leader creating change in Berkshire?
16 June 2026
Leadership Lighthouses: Berkshire is an upcoming fully funded leadership development programme for social purpose leaders working across Berkshire. This programme has been designed to support leaders from global majority and ethnically diverse communities to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their networks, and increase their influence within the sector. It offers a valuable opportunity to invest in your personal and professional ...
Respite fostering children with disabilities
11 June 2026We are currently seeking compassionate and committed individuals to provide respite care for children with complex needs and disabilities. Our foster carers do an incredible job, and the support of respite carers is essential in helping them continue providing high-quality care while maintaining their own wellbeing and avoiding burnout. As you can appreciate, it can ...
Reading’s new Central Library opens on 18 June 2026
3 June 2026
Reading’s new Central Library opens on 18 June 2026 at the Civic Centre, Bridge Street, RG1 2LU With thousands of books, lots of work and study spaces and lots of places to plug in, as well as free wifi, and a great space for children, we are really excited to show you our new home – ...
Togetherness platform for Reading – online resources for families and free CPD for practitioners
3 June 2026
Wokingham, West Berkshire and Reading Councils have introduced Togetherness across Berkshire West through a jointly funded three‑year multi‑user licence. This provides free, unlimited access to a wide range of online resources for families, alongside free CPD‑accredited training for practitioners. What is Togetherness? Togetherness (formerly the Solihull Approach) is an evidence‑based programme that promotes emotional wellbeing, child development and positive family relationships. Used nationally ...
Reading Climate Festival 2026
3 June 2026
Two weeks of (mostly) FREE events to inspire a happier, healthier, more connected and climate-friendly Reading. There’s something here for everyone – nature walks, online talks & workshops, a community lunch with climate-friendly food and more! Explore the programme here Reading Climate Festival is part of our town’s response to the climate and nature crises. It’s a moment ...
Migrant Help – charity shop vouchers available
3 June 2026
Migrant Help currently have a batch of charity shop vouchers available that can be used by organisations supporting asylum seekers across London and the Southeast to purchase clothing for clients. Each voucher is worth £20 and must be spent in participating charity shops before 30 June 2026 (the clothing itself can be distributed after this date). ...
Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June 2026) has arrived! – A huge thank you to all of Reading’s amazing volunteers
31 May 2026
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. Across the country, volunteers play a vital role at the very heart of the community, and Reading is no exception. The town benefits from thousands of volunteers who freely give their time, talents and ...
Small Groups’ Forum July 2026 – Find the right volunteers, new BCF small grants, and more
21 May 2026Are you a small or new community group or charity? Would you like top tips on running a group, finding funding and the opportunity to network with other small groups? Join us for our next Small Groups’ Forum in July. We run three forums per year and the topics are chosen by small groups like yours. Theme ...
Volunteers’ Week 2026 is coming! Let us know your plans and share your celebrations
19 May 2026
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. This year’s celebrations will run from Monday, 1st June to Sunday, 7th June. RVA will be promoting the diverse range of opportunities available in the town throughout the week. What plans do you have to ...
Queen Victoria Fund Reading (QVFR) – deadline 29 June 2026
19 May 2026
The Queen Victoria Fund Reading (QVFR) has opened applications for its second round of funding for 2026 QVFR provides funds for public health initiatives that help combat health inequity. Organisations working within communities and neighbourhoods in the Reading Borough and Earley Town Council areas are eligible for funds to support their work. This might include perinatal inequalities, ...